After the game and on the bus

After the game, shirts were turned in and it was time to board the buses to head home. During a McD stop, Tim "interacted" with two girls in a blue bug who after that, followed/passed the bus until we came up to US 30 where, at the stoplight, the driver ran up to the bus to hand Tim her cell phone number. Now Tim will have something to do this weekend.

Anderson Summer Soccer Showcase 2012

Game 1 NorthWood - Tri-West 4-1 (2-1) The first NW goal came in the 17th minute, Taylor Wegmiller scores on an assist from Clayton Seitz (1-0) and only a minute later Taylor returns the favor with an assist to Clay (2-0). Tri West comes back in minute 20 with a shot in the box that does not get defended well, 2-1. In the 39th, Taylor takes a free kick from the left side of the box and puts it on the frame where the TW GK slaps at it but not hard enough to prevent the ball from kissing the net; 3-1. The 58th minute sees Kyle make a great save to stop a shot inside the box and in the last minute of the game, an inspired Clay shoots from close range to finalize the score at 4-1.

BUSES IN THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT TO GATORADE UP JUST OUTSIDE ANDERSON; TEAM GETTING READY BEFORE THE GAME Game 2 NorthWood - Hamilton SE 1 2-2 (1-1) Games at the tournament are split up in 35 minute halves. The friday afternoon game is a bit warmer then the chilly morning game. But the team wasn't exactly ready from the start. A pass from the middle third to our left side of the defense, reaches a weak side runner who enters the 18 to end up eye to eye with Kyle and a quick shot disappears in the goal, 0-1. Twelve minutes later Taylor reaches Tim who after controlling the ball, takes a shot in the corner to tie the game at 1-1. In the 52nd, HSE goes ahead again but Clay again decides to have the last word and with a desperration shot freezes the scoreboard at 2-2.

THE TEAM ON SATURDAY Game 3 NorthWood -Hamilton SE 2 2-2 (1-1) Game 2 was scheduled to be played between NW and Jay County and since JC was a no show, HSE put in another team (the school has more then 1,000 incoming freshmen, so finding players is probably not too tough). HSE starts out strong and we start flat which leads to a great opportunity for HSE but the nice shot meets up with a strong diving save by Kyle to keep the score at 0-0. With a nice short pass from Taylor to Clay, it is the latter who scores the first goal of the game.A bad touch in the back leads to the 1-1 in the 25th. Taylor has two 1v1 chances but both do not reach the net. In the 38th, HSE scores the go ahead goal so for the fourth time in the tournament, NW has to battle to come from behind. Taylor scores in the 58th on a Clay assist and Kyle makes a dive on the ground to keep the 2-2 on the board. The ensuing corner gets punched out by Kyle to avert disaster. NW finishes the tournament at 1-0-2 and the 2012 preseason at 2-0-2. It is good to not get beat in the preseason but it is obvious we have a lot to work on and we will start with that this coming week with three conditioning practices on the track and the two-a days which will start Monday July 30th (9-11 and 1-3).

Plymouth-NorthWood 1-4 (2012 pre season)

After losing one and winning one on the final night of the 7v7 competition it was time to shift the focus to the pre-season. Mrs. Eddybuster (or was it "our old bus driver" Clay?) was witness to the team pulling out for the away game at Plymouth. After a 20 minute lightning display/delay, the game started but was chopped into quarters. After a pretty good first performance with about five freshmen contributing adjustments could be drawn up for the upcoming tournament. With three Clay goals, three or four Taylor assists and another Jesus goal (actually two), NW walked off the field with a easy 4-1 win and was never really in danger. DON"T BE LATE FOR THE BUS!!!!!!!

Busy week ahead

It almost looks as if the season has started, looking at the calendar. Tonight is Open Field (6:30-8) and tomorrow will be the final two 7v7 games at the NIBCO soccer complex in Elkhart. On Wednesday (6 pm start) we will travel to Plymouth for the annual pre-season friendly against the Pilgrims. After one day off (Thursday) we will get an early start to the weekend with a 6:15 (AM!)departure from the AC. We will travel to Anderson for the Summer Soccer Showcase and will play a 10:30 am and a 3 pm game on Friday and a 9:30 AM game on Saturday. The games will be played at Davis Park in Anderson (4507 Nichol Ave, Anderson). On Friday 7/20 we will entertain Tri-West at 10:30 am and Jay County at 3 pm. Saturday's opponent will be Hamilton South East at 9:30 am.

Temps in the 100's and soccer; Kyle IU soccer camp

Kyle during 2012 IU Soccer Camp World Cup competition inside IU's football stadium.

JV 7v7 action

NW-Northridge 5-1/NW-Concord 5-2

NW will enter the final week of the 7v7 season with a record of 8 wins and 2 losse (both 1 goal losses). Here a pictorial recap, courtesy Lindy Seitz Photography and Video Studios, Burbank CA.

Moratorium Week

This week is moratorium week which means the coaches have no contact with their players. Hopefully, players are conditioning on their own although it is a little on the hot side. Players should get up early and run or do it later in the evening when the temps are no longer in the 100's. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids. Kyle is at IU's soccer camp in Bloomington this week where the mercury is near the 103 mark as well. We will start up again this coming Monday. 6:30-8 at the game field and 7v7 at 5:30 & 6:30 pm at the NIBCO fields. Temperatures will be in the 80's next week!

What's with the hands?

Midsummer Night Soccer

7v7 Action at NIBCO fields

7v7 Update

After two close losses last week (losing both games by a single goal), NorthWood stepped on the field with the obvious intention of getting two additional wins. Northridge Gold was the first opponent and with 5 (!) Taylor Wegmiller goals (and 1 from B. Barahona), the Panthers beat the Middleburians 6-3 to elevate their record to 5-2. The second win of the night came easy (and the win was accomplished before kick off due to a Bethany Christian forfeit due to a lack of players). Some NW players were given "on loan" status (Easton Dahlgren and Kyle Dijkstra)and played for the Bruins. Kyle scored one of their four goals. NorthWood touched the net 11 times for an easy victory. Brandon Parker played back up GK for a qu

arter of the first and the entire second game. Next week is Moratorium week so everyone is invited back on 7/9/12 at 6:30 pm (until about 8pm) for the next Open Field. Next 7v7 games are slated for Tuesday 7/10/12.

MORATORIUM WEEK 7/2-7/6/12

Next week is the IHSAA mandated moratorium week. Coaches are not allowed to have contact with their players. It sounds like seniors might try to get players to come out for a Captain's Fun run or maybe a pick up game. Check Kyle's FB.

Summer Soccer Showcase 2012

The Soccer Showcase in Anderson will be played on Friday 7/20 and Saturday 7/21/12. More information will be posted as it becomes available. We play on Friday 7/20 at 10:30 am and 3 pm, on Saturday 7/21 we will play at 9:30 am. Our opponents are Hamilton South Eastern, Tri-West and Jay County.

Next week in NW Soccer

This coming Monday (6/18) all players will need to help out at Soccer Camp (9:30-11 at the game field at Nappanee Elementary), players will need to report at 9 am Monday. Any player who helps out 3 days will get a camp t-shirt Monday night will be open field at the boys practive field from 6:30-8ish. Tuesday night will be 7v7 at 5:30 & 6:30 (anyone wanting a ride be at the HS at 4:30), if you meet us at the field, be there at 5 pm.

7v7 Gameday #2

The second week of 7v7 competition was played under pretty nice conditions; sunny and 70's albeit a bit windy. The first opponents of the night came from the Elkhart Christian Academy. Wearing "intimidating" purple jerseys, the team itself never looked that way. NorthWood was never in real trouble (only one GK save was necessary to keep the "0" on the scoreboard). The final score of 7-0 reflected the way we outplayed ECA although a higher score (of 10+) would have been possible as well. First shutout of the 7v7 season as well. Game #2 of the night was against Concord. The final result was in NorthWood's advantage (3-1)but the half time score should have been 5-0 instead of 1-0. Lots of opportunities were missed from close range with the ball ending up far into the woods. NorthWood scored two more goals in the second half. Concord would score in the final seconds of the game but the goal was disallowed by NorthWood. A foul was committed near the box (according to some crying Concord players) so NW stopped play to allow a free kick and set up a wall at which moment Concord decided to play on (while Kyle was getting ready to set up a wall) and put the ball in the net. Obviously not a goal and not that it mattered, NW would have won anyhow since the horn blew right after that. All in all, a great start (4-0) to the 7v7 season with wins against Lakeland, Memorial,Elkhart Christian and Concord. The NW red team did not manage a win last night but all JV players got plenty of playing time and are gaining experience for Coach Shield's team for the upcoming season. OZO

EURO 2012 starts tomorrow

1988 Repeat?

7v7 off to good start

The NW varsity 7v7 squad got off to a good start Tuesday at the Nibco Soccer complex in Elkhart. The first opponent were the Lakers from Lakeland High School (LaGrange). The Lakers showed some nice skill and some physical talent but were outdone by their quasi Amish counterparts from the Waky/Nappanee area. The final score of 4-3 was a nice way to kick off the summer soccer competition. The second game was a matchup with NLC foe Elkhart Memorial. An interesting first half was followed up by a much slower paced second half but the Panthers still managed to come out on top. A two goal half time lead shrunk to just one (6-5) but it was enought to hang on to the win. The 7v7 Varsity team only had 8 players (so only one sub) but the players seemed conditioned enough at least for the first night of the season. Hopefully more players will be able to contribute next week. All games are at %:30 & 6:30 pm every Tuesday this summer. The 7v7 JV team lost to Goshen but played well the first half. With a 1-2 half time score, the second half turned out to be a little tougher.

School is out, soccer summer activities start

Monday June 4th is the first night of summer open gym. Anyone enrolled at NorthWood and interested in playing soccer in the fall should come out and play each Monday night from 6:30 - 8(ish). As usual, we will play at the High School practice fields (North side of the school). All players interested in participating in the 7v7 competition at the Nibco complex, need to bring their forms and $ 25 tonight. 7v7 starts tomorrow night. Any player needing a ride will need to tell his coach tonight so we can have a ride for that player at the High School tomorrow night. See everyone tonight. Updates will now be posted more frequently so keep checking the blog!

Bernard Steenburgen, VV Grijpskerk icon, plays his last match for the red and white.